Sebastian Giovinco will wear the Italian No 10 shirt at the Confederations Cup, a jersey which Dave Taylor thinks is too big for him.

Did you see Lorenzo Insigne’s goal for the Italian Under-21s against England in midweek? Now that’s what a No 10 should bring to the table. Furthermore, he was absolutely outstanding in the first half and – along with several others – should be in the Azzurri’s World Cup squad next summer.

The way he caressed the ball and twisted through England’s defence rekindled memories of past greats, Italian legends such as Roberto Baggio, Alessandro Del Piero, Francesco Totti, Gianni Rivera and GiancarloAntognoni. They too were all fabulous players and could change a match in an instant. Furthermore, they all had one thing in common – the No 10 shirt was their second skin.

Sadly, the strength and prestige of that mythical number today has been very much diluted. Some may think it’s just a figure, but there are those who believe the 10 should not be handed out willy-nilly, especially in Italy where it’s not just a number but a calling card.

It is the shirt that is worn by the individual, like any of the above, who has unparalleled vision, the player who floats between the front line and the midfield as well as linking them. He is that special character who is blessed with an ability to see two or three moves in front of his teammates and exploit it accordingly.

In Brazil later this month, during the Confederations Cup, that special shirt will be handed to Juventus’ Sebastian Giovinco. For all his diversity, the Juve No 12 is hardly a salute in the direction of the greats who wore the shirt before him.

Clearly that number is not exclusive to the very best any longer after players of differing character – including Daniele De Rossi, Antonio Di Natale and Pablo Osvaldo – have worn it in the recent past.

What is mystifying, however, is how can Giovinco be a No 10 for his country when he has failed to claim the same unused jersey in Turin? It just doesn’t feel right. For a player to wear the 10 shirt for their national team, particularly on the peninsula, you would expect him to wear it for his club side.

Of course, not too long ago, it was expected that he would become the new Del Piero, but that has just not materialised. His only relevance to Pinturicchio, in reality, is that he is playing for Juventus. He may have been one of the Old Lady’s top scorers in the past campaign, but he rightly has his doubters – even amongst the Juve faithful.

There’s actually an argument over whether Sebastian should have even been called up to the Azzurri squad, never mind being handed the biggest shirt of all. There are a number of Under-21 internationals who Prandelli has admitted are pushing for full selection and Giovinco could be a victim of that talent which is coming through.

Right now, at best, Giovinco will only come off the bench in an emergency situation. He is certainly no driving force behind this side, not a player who can change the match in an instant. And he’s definitely not big or atomic enough to be given the sacred Italian No 10 – no matter how thin the squad may be.

...the way I see it, Giovinco shouldn't even be playing soccer in serie A, what if he has scored one or two nice free kicks?!....I've seen him more than a handful of times shoot on an almost empty net and miss !!!!!.....he can't jump any players....he's a...ma... The guy has scored only 29 goals in 6 YEARS!!!!????... ..And whenever he scored a goal Juve was already up by two or three goals.....its very rare that he scores a game winner,...since is very rare that he scores,He is a joke ....period

on the 6th September, 2013 at 7:49am

Don Vincenzo

Danielle matthias u gotta know that the italy #10 is not just a number it is also a symbol of honour,respect,prestige,leadership nd individual quality nd sorry 2 say ur so called Totti is an indisciplined player with no honour and integrity @his age so if with his conduct nd disrespect he can wear the #10 then Giovinco can wear it too with his qualities and skill on the ball he just needs time to prove his mettle nd quality.

on the 16th June, 2013 at 8:57am

Anonymous

What is he saying?Sebastian Giovinco has everything it takes to wear the number 10 shirt.He says he is not atomic but his nickname is: the atomic ant. Sebastian Giovinco is very good.Dave Taylor is very wrong.

on the 14th June, 2013 at 2:40am

Jerrold

I will sell Giovinco at ebay! just like Amauri... Lol.

on the 13th June, 2013 at 1:25pm

Lui

Mr Lazio,

Totti has more talent in his left pinky than any Lazio player has ever had in there whole body. Totti was and still is world class and still deserves the #10 with the national team. He's still the only Italian player that can take over a game on his own. If Prandelli has any brains he will call up Totti and beg for him to return to the Azzuri.

on the 13th June, 2013 at 1:24pm

Cucci.Bagg

Baggio was the greatest player to wear #10.At the moment the best player in the Azzurri has #21 on his back! Giovinco is a good player, but I'd rather bring up players like Inzigne. If the coach can show patience in a player like that, give him a free role, let him find his confidence and just let him play. You will see a Baggio like player worthy to wear #10 again.

Forza Azzurri

on the 12th June, 2013 at 8:55am

Francesco

Giovinco is just a 'provincial superstar'. He was great for Parma but never lived up to the expectations at Juve. As a Juventino myself, I believe Giovinco shouldn't even be considered to be chosen for the Azzurri. As for the number 10, it should have gone to Cassano, a player with class and vision. At this stage, Insigne is the future and judging by what I have seen so far, he has the potential to be the next Baggio, Del Piero, Totti.. Players who have earned the famous jersey!

on the 11th June, 2013 at 12:58am

Marco

Giovinco doesn't deserve to be in this squad, along with Giaccherini and Gilardino. Let alone be #10. The only #10 we have had since totti has been Cassano - who Prandelli chose to leave at home for Giovinco. I'm sorry but Giovinco has talent, but it's gone to his head. When a player decides to look for a free kick over playing the ball, and feels he deserves the world when he's proven nothing; you know he has jumped the shark and is finished.

on the 10th June, 2013 at 10:32am

Daniel Matthias Coyle

@ Mr. Lazio and Don Vincenzo - del Piero as the true #10 for the Azzurri?? Based on which performances??? Totti was up and down for the Azzurri but del Piero was not glittering either. I'm not even sure del Piero was better than Totti in blue:Euro 2000 Totti was better by farWC 2002 Totti was disappointing del Piero was slightly better)Euro 2004, Totti was bad, del Piero played really well for about 70 mins. against SwedenWC 2006 both were ok but Totti was better. I think you meant Baggio

on the 9th June, 2013 at 2:51pm

Roberto

Giovinco was in his prime Playing for Parma. Parma isn't exactly juventus, Playing for Juventus the pressure of performing as a top player is very difficult. Only the top players in the world have ever performed well for Juventus. Giovinco isn't even close to becoming a Platini, Baggio,Zidane, Delpiero just to name a few. Giovinco is just a goood player, not great. He's not consistant enough and doesn't score enough.

on the 9th June, 2013 at 2:27pm

Don Vincenzo

Mr lazio u are right that a the only true 10 was Captain Del Piero nd even people like totti ddnt deserve the 10 but they still wore it. So let's give Giovinco the oppurtunity 2 play his game too.

on the 9th June, 2013 at 11:33am

Dessie

Lads if we're going to start talking about a season someone had then let's start with marchisio !!!? I'm an admirer but he's been just awful, and has never done anything in an azzurri shirt on... For all those juve fans who hate giovinco let's not forget that he ripped you apart during his 2 seasons in Parma and you suffered your last loss before your 49 game run to him beating Buffon twice from free kicks , juve made a big mistake not giving him 10, stating we have faith but not total faith

on the 9th June, 2013 at 8:05am

ForzaNapoli

@Rosario Diamanti is a good player same with Cerci but they don't play for Juve or Milan or Prandeli Fiorentina so they may never really play, just like Quagliarella 3 years ago. Those players have heart and something to prove which is what we need. Cassano was never at top form but deserved #10 b4 Giovinco. Cassano should have played at the last WC but Lippi is a old fool with a testa dura. I hope we get our a** kicked in Confederations so the alarms start ringing and changes in Italy happen

on the 9th June, 2013 at 1:02am

ForzaNapoli

All you Juve fans hating on Insigne will eat your words with in the next 2 years. When Juve was trying to take him from Napoli he was the next Del Piero and when you realized he has Napoli in his heart and stayed you talk him down. Giovinco was always over rated he was at his prime in parma. Just look at the amount of minutes Insigne has played this year and look at his stats, they are amazing. He scored just as many goals as Lavezzi last year and barely played and played out of position.

on the 9th June, 2013 at 12:52am

Igor

If you have watched Giovinco in Italy U21, then he was the real no.10.

It is just a stupid "no.10 talk"...as you said...only in Italy, and only in Italy you put unnecessary pressure on the players.

on the 8th June, 2013 at 4:24pm

Sempre Juve

I'm a Juve fan and I'm terribly sick with the issue about "Giovinco will be the next Del Piero" etc. Leave it. You'll never find another Del Piero and Juve's #10 is better rest for good. It's a heavy burden for whoever use that number/shirt. Gio is not at Capitano's level yet, and he will never be. Just let him play, dont put another brick on his shoulder. Btw I still think he (AND Insigne) is just so poorly overrated when it comes down to this #10 thingy.

on the 8th June, 2013 at 12:05pm

Bianco

One thing is to play against U21 and completely another against men in the World Cup qualifications. Insigne is a huge talent but he also doesn't deserve No.10 ! Gio still has to prove things both for Juve, to Conte who put his trust in him and to Italy. Gotta a serious thinking to do.

on the 8th June, 2013 at 9:38am

Anonymous

The #10 jersey is usually worn by the best player on the team. Pele, Maradona, Platini, Baggio, Totti, Delpiero, Zidane, Messi etc.... However the players mentioned made the number as popular as it is. Cristiano Ronaldo never wears #10 for club or national side and lets face it if Messi didn't exist Ronaldo would arguably be the best on the planet today and #7 is his choice. In my opinion Giovinco is only on the national team because there is nobody else to choose from. Forza Juve!!!

on the 8th June, 2013 at 1:37am

Bagg10

Not to long ago people did expect Giovinco to become the next Del Piero. We were talking about him and hyping him up much in the same way you're hyping up Insigne. And Giovinco was just as impressive, if not more impressive than Insigne is on the U21 squad right now. Insigne's freekick was beautiful, but Giovinco has been known to score a few freekick here and there himself. Lets not compare Insigne's performances for U21 to Giovinco's on the senior squad.

on the 7th June, 2013 at 11:15pm

Sam

To be honest i don't even see insigne as being close to miccoli in his youth. Both him and giovinco are overrated. Insigne could end up a bit better due tp his physique but heck I've seen tones of players with ''more'' who achieved less. Locatelli, Morfeo and before that brambilla etc.

This isn't a boom period for italian talent. last time there was a boom it was the early 90's

on the 7th June, 2013 at 10:19pm

shuliano

Taylor! that is a one ugly post & injustice against Giovinco. @ Anthony: you are right! in addition, Insigne will probably face the same fate as Giovinco. Due to the fact that Serie A does not appreciate great youth talent and destroys it deliberately! Giovinco was superb for the U-21. He should of stayed at Parma could of been better for him. Insigne with Napoli: hope Benitez appreciates his quality, otherwise will end up like Giovinco! We do have great U-21 players, but where do they end! DAA>

on the 7th June, 2013 at 10:00pm

maverick

Giovinco should not be in the starting XI. And if Diamanti and Cerci are both picked. he might not even be in the squad at all. The closest Italy have to a no. 10 right now is Diamanti or El Shaarawy.

on the 7th June, 2013 at 9:16pm

Viktor

@anthony

Did you just say gio is better then pirlo on free kicks direct against goal???!

on the 7th June, 2013 at 8:51pm

Rosario

I'm not exaggerating when I say this. collectively, that was most probably the WORST italian performance during my life time. I honestly don't think we had a shot on goal. awful awful awful. as for balotelli. A brainless liability. spends the whole game falling over and exaggerating tackles and fouls. then when the opposition do it to him and he falls for it due to his lack of brain cells, he plays the innocent. italy were better with 10. he's a complete and utter waste of time.

on the 7th June, 2013 at 8:44pm

Anonymous

Fact is in the past few years of Italia games, qualifiers, friendlies, everything, Giovinco has looked really poor. I can't think of one good game he has had with the azzurri. He doesn't deserve the 10 yes, but he also doesn't deserve the jersey. There are a few bad selections from Prandelli and this is one of them.

on the 7th June, 2013 at 8:43pm

Anonymous

None of this lot are worthy of the number 10.

on the 7th June, 2013 at 8:10pm

Anthony

Insigne's free kick against England is one that Giovinco has scored many times. To imply that Giovinco is not capable of that is incorrect. He doesn't really take free kicks at Juve with Pirlo there...even though I think in terms of direct free kicks on goal, Giovinco is better than Pirlo.

And like others have said, Giovinco was very dominant at u21 level too. Insigne might end up being better, but maybe not. He plays closer to goal than Giovinco did at u21. That's the only real difference.

on the 7th June, 2013 at 6:56pm

Al

Can't compare Insigne to giovinco. Insigne is flat out better and he has a more positive winning lucky and talented vibe to him. Hard to fully explain. He seems meant for success.

on the 7th June, 2013 at 6:45pm

INZAGHI

For everyone saying the likes of diamanti, poli, cerci, aquilani suck have no clue what they are talking about.

Almost every country in the world would take those guys as backups, Italy is very deep and confederation cup teams should be scared.

on the 7th June, 2013 at 6:27pm

bbellio

"Did you see Lorenzo Insigne’s goal for the Italian Under-21s against England in midweek? Now that’s what a No 10 should bring to the table. Furthermore, he was absolutely outstanding in the first half and – along with several others – should be in the Azzurri’s World Cup squad next summer."

Did you see Sebastian Giovinco's goal for Juventus against AC Milan? That seems to be something you might be overlooking.

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